Bed bugs

Bedbugs are flat, oval shaped, blood feeding insects that are normally reddish brown
in colour. This can change from almost pink to a more purplish colour before and after
feeding. The adult bedbug is approximately 5mm in length, and has three stages in
its life cycle, egg > nymph > adult. The bedbug has five growing stages and
at each stage looks like the adult.

The mouth parts are well adapted for piercing and sucking. Bedbugs feed on human
blood and only need to feed every 3 to 5 days. The adult bedbug may live between 9
- 18 months at normal room temperature of 18 - 20°C providing there is a host available.
Generally, if room temperature is high, the life expectancy of the adult bedbug decreases.

At lower temperatures bedbugs become lazier in their movements and their growth
will slow greatly. In this condition, they show good resistance to starvation. Both
male and female have been known to survive a year without feeding.

Where and how do they live?

Bedbugs are more active at night, and infestations occur mainly in the bed-room
and lounge areas. These insects need to be where a host is going to be, for an extended
period.

If in the bedroom, they will come out at night while the host is sleeping, from
hiding places such as the frame and headboard of the bed, behind any loose or peeling
wallpaper, cracks in wood-work or plaster, from behind ward-robes or bedside cabinets.

In the lounge area, they favour soft furnishings and are often found around the
arm joints of armchairs and settees. The bedbug feeds on the host by finding a bare
patch of skin, through which it forces the feeding tube of its mouthparts, whilst
at the same time injecting the host with its saliva. The saliva contains a chemical
that prevents the blood from clotting. It is this substance that causes the itch and
swelling associated with the 'bite'.

Although most people suffer irritation and loss of sleep through being bitten by
these insects, some people appear unaffected. This can sometimes be caused by long
term exposure to an infestation where the body no longer ‘reacts’ to the insect’s
saliva.

Why are they a problem?

The bite from this insect can be very irritating. If they are allowed to multiply
unchecked, numbers could become such, that the host/s may become anaemic through blood
loss, although this is rare.

How do they breed?

After feeding, the bedbug returns to its hiding place to digest its meal. It then
mates; the female lays eggs that remain attached to her. The eggs are usually laid
within the hiding place. During her lifetime the female can lay up to 200 eggs, at
a rate of between 4-5 per day, depending on temperature and other environmental factors.

What can I do to get rid of bedbugs?

You will need professional help to get rid of these insects. In order to control
this problem, the rooms where the host/s sleep, and lounge areas will need to be treated
with insecticide. This will include beds, soft furnishings, and other areas where
these insects are likely to hide.

When bedbugs come out from their hiding places to feed, they walk over the insecticide
and die shortly afterwards. You should be aware that often it is necessary to remove
or make holes in the material normally found under divan beds and lounge furniture,
to provide an effective treatment.

It is also possible that the premises may need more than one treatment to control
the problem. Redecorating, removal or introduction of new furniture should not be
done for some time after treatment in order that any hatching bugs will walk over
the insecticide and so prevent re-infestation.

What can I do to prevent bedbugs in my home?

If you are considering buying secondhand furniture, check it
thoroughly before bringing it home. Tell-tale signs apart from seeing
the insects will be spotting on the furniture, usually on the back of
the item, or in or near joints of drawers. The spots are the droppings
of the bedbug, if these are moistened they will smear when rubbed.

How we can help

We will treat your home with
an insecticide spray. You can help us by clearing furniture away from
the edges of rooms to be treated and by removing any bed linen before we
visit. A single spray treatment of beds, soft furnishings and
surrounding areas will be made. All treated areas should remain
undisturbed for four to seven days.

We aim to respond to all
requests for service regarding bedbugs in domestic premises within five
working days.

Chemical safety

Where a product
is used to treat an infestation in your home, our officer will leave you
with written information about the chemical. This also contains
instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. All pesticides are
applied by our qualified and experienced staff to ensure the safety of
the public and to minimise damage to the environment.